Another phase of affordable housing units at Frishman Hollow may be coming next year with the town agreeing to sell a 5-acre parcel to Alder Pacific Associates.

Pacific West Communities, a development partner with Alder Pacific, plans to apply for a grant through the California Housing Finance Agency Mixed-Income Program, which they had to apply for by April 30. However, they needed to have control over the site to be eligible.

The grant is aimed at mixed income housing with room for moderate income housing, which Truckee Town Manager Jeff Loux said “is very rare.”

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The developers have stated some units could be restricted to low-income housing if other funding sources become available. The Town Council voted to sell the property to the developers which would allow them an opportunity for funding of up to $40,000 per housing unit. If they receive the funding, construction could begin in 2020.

“There’s no guarantee we can get the funds, but we thought it was a great opportunity to try to chase mixed-income money,” said Andrea Clark of Pacific West Communities, who added that there are fewer than 15 applications being submitted. “We really think we have a shot.”

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Pacific West Communities has been discussing a new development with the town since 2008. However, Clark said “the money just wasn’t there.”

While this could set the stage for an affordable housing project, town officials stressed that there is not yet a proposed site design or estimated number of units.

“We anticipate a substantial public process to engage communities and neighborhoods, once we know we have a real project,” said Loux.

“I know there’s going to be plenty more chance for the community to give input,” said Council Member Anna Klovstad.

Originally the 9.5 acre site was donated to the town in 2005 by East West Partners to facilitate the development of affordable housing. That same year the town received a Community Development Block Grant to develop 32 affordable rental units on a portion of the parcel, which target very low income and low income groups.

The grant required the project to be completed by October 2008, so Pacific West Communities completed Phase I, known as Frishman Hollow, that would satisfy the grant requirements, according to a staff report.

The site located at 11026 Rue Ivy has been operated Pacific West Communities since then.

Hannah Jones is a reporter for the Sierra Sun. She can be reached at 530-550-2652 or hjones@sierrasun.com.